A new system being tested in Japan allows motorists to order McDonald's takeaway food from their satnav.

Japan is test-driving a new system that allows hungry motorists to order McDonald's burgers and other meals via their satnavs.

A highly advanced in-car "Intel Transport System" (ITS) that the Japanese already use to get around their roads will use its wireless connections to allow drivers or passengers to select items off a Mcdonald's menu next month. The fast food giant was chosen because of the ease of picking up ordered food through its drive-through facilities and the first experiment will take place at a store just outside Tokyo in March.

If successful the service will be rolled out nationwide and may find its way to the UK in the future if ITS establishes itself outside of Japan. ITS (UK) is now lobbying for a similar network to be introduced to the UK.

A group of 26 companies including Toyota and Panasonic have cooperated to design the new functions.

When a car gets within a couple of kilometres of the restaurant the occupants can use the satnav screen to select meals from a menu. Choices are punched through the ITS network to the restaurant, which will receive payment electronically if the user is signed up to one of the many e-wallet schemes available in Japan and which are appearing now in the UK.